1. (a) Type of construction. Longitudinal lines on the right of way shall be limited to single pole construction. Where an existing or proposed utility is supported by "H" frames, the same type structures may be utilized for the crossing provided all other requirements of this subchapter are met.
2. (b) Vertical clearance. The minimum vertical clearance above the highway shall be 22 feet for electric lines, and 18 feet for communication and cable television lines. These clearances may be greater, as required by the National Electric Safety Code and governing laws.
3. (c) Horizontal clearances. The following table indicates the design values for horizontal clearances:
   Attached Graphic
   

4. (d) Location.

   1. (1) Poles supporting longitudinal lines shall be located within three feet of the right of way line, except that, at the option of the department, this distance may be varied at short breaks in the right of way line. Poles with bases greater than 36 inches in diameter shall not be placed within the right of way. Guy wires placed within the right of way shall be held to a minimum and be in line with the pole line. Other locations may be allowed, but in no case shall the guy wires or poles be located closer than the minimum allowed by the department's horizontal clearance policy, as shown in subsection (c) of this section.
   2. (2) Poles shall not be placed in the center median of any highway. At the department's discretion, poles may be placed in the outer separations or more than three feet inside the right of way where the right of way is greater than 300 feet and where poles can be located in accordance with the department's horizontal clearance policy, as shown in subsection (c) of this section.
   3. (3) Overhead electric, communication, and cable television line crossings at bridges or grade separation structures are prohibited. Overhead lines shall not be located below any bridge structure. If rerouting the line completely around the structure and approaches is not feasible, a minimum horizontal distance of 150 feet from the bridge abutment joint and a minimum vertical clearance of 30 feet above the point of crossing the bridge pavement and retaining walls is required to ensure adequate safety for construction and maintenance operations.
5. (e) Markers. Utility poles must bear readily identifiable plaques or other approved markers denoting ownership and use, at a distance of approximately one pole per 1,320 feet, as equally spaced as practicable, and at every crossing, in a format acceptable to the department. Each company connecting to a pole shall appropriately identify its use of the pole. There shall be a beginning and end marker for each user of the pole line.

Source Note:The provisions of this §21.41 adopted to be effective March 17, 2005, 30 TexReg 1455; amended to be effective April 20, 2016, 41 TexReg 2777.